6 Myths About Depression That Make Life Harder for Those Who Have It

Today, depression has become more talked about, better recognized, and better treated…but sadly myths about depression still exist.

Society’s view of depression has come a long way. While many people used to think it could be “snapped out” of and was just a matter of being lazy or unmotivated, now they understand that mental illness is as real and debilitating as any physical illness.

But there’s still work to do! While many people have sympathy for those with depression, its true impact on someone’s well-being can be hard to explain. There are still common myths about depression and misconceptions that need to be addressed.

Myth #1: We all get depressed.

Robert Sapolsky is one of the top neurology researchers and professors in the world. In this lecture with over 1 million views, he explains depression in a brilliant and impactful way. The most important point he makes is this: Clinical depression isn’t “feeling sad.” Many people say something like, “I didn’t get that promotion; now I’m depressed.”

Feelings of sadness are a normal part of life for everyone and tend to come and go with the ebb and flow of life’s events. Sapolsky says that many of the misconceptions about depression exist because so many people use the term “depression” in everyday life without knowing what it really means.

Severe depression is much different than normal emotional reactions to difficulties. It involves:

Changes in hormone levels

Shrinkage of critical brain regions

Deterioration of neurological networks

Trouble sleeping caused by dysregulation of REM sleep cycles

It’s a real illness that should be viewed as a medical condition. Sapolsky also points out that like many other medical issues, the risk of depression is influenced by genetics.

This doesn’t disregard anyone’s experience with sadness. If a life event is causing symptoms of depression for you, seek a professional opinion to receive a proper diagnosis.

Myth #2: Depression only affects your mental state.

When society at large thinks about depression symptoms, they focus on the mental aspects:

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Myth #4: Medication is the only way to cope with depression.

Antidepressant medication tends to be the first line of defense against depression because it’s simple and can be prescribed by most doctors. But there are other treatment options available! Cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered the “gold standard” for talk therapy. Some studies show it’s a depression treatment that’s just as effective as medication and has a more permanent effect.

Another medical treatment option for depression is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a non-invasive depression treatment that works by reactivating neural pathways that are underactive in patients with depression. It’s remarkably effective, safe, and provided under the care of a psychiatrist.

If TMS sounds right for you, Success TMS is a national provider with offices across the U.S. They specialize in getting insurance approval set up quickly, so you can start treatment right away. Call 855-943-3232 for more information.

Myth #5: Depression is the same across genders.

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Myth #6: Depression is hopeless.

People with depression may feel hopeless, especially with celebrity suicides dominating the news. When Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade, and Chris Cornell are taken from us by depression, it may seem like an insurmountable mental illness.